Bilingual, Special Education Teachers Are In High Demand In Chicago
Those who are bilingual and considering a teaching career may also want to consider working on a special education certification at the same time. Qualified bilingual teachers can be a challenge for school districts to find, but hiring a bilingual teacher with a special education background is like trying to locate a needle in a haystack. For those teachers who hold the degree and certifications to be a bilingual special education teacher, they will very likely have no difficulty in getting hired for a teaching position in today's job market.
The number of limited English students in Chicago has surged and will continue to soar. Chicago Public Schools reports their student enrollment as 396,683 (2014-2015 20th day enrollment) and of this number, 16.7 percent are English-language learners. Considering the special education component and the number of students who may also need to receive special education services, it becomes quite apparent the need for highly qualified bilingual teachers with a special education background.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates K through 12 teachers, which include teachers of all types would increase by 429,400 jobs, or 10 percent, from 2012-2022, which is about average for all professions. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics does not offer separate job growth statistics for bilingual teachers, but it does state that a bilingual specialization is progressively in demand, according to the most recent data available.
Teaching is a very rewarding career and helping those students who are limited in the English language, and also require special education, can make the teaching career even more rewarding and fulfilling. These kids need all the support they can receive to be successful in life. Having a teacher who is highly qualified, caring, compassionate, and wants their students to succeed can make all the difference in a child's life.
Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner living in Chicago, Illinois. She also has experience in school administration, literacy coaching and is proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com and MichelleGuilbeau.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of Chicago, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
